Portable electric forced air and radiant heater unit



0. C. WELLS Jan. 11, 1966 PORTABLE ELECTRIC FORCED AIR AND RADIANT HEATER UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Sept. 30, 1963 4 5 23 I Q :0 5 32 6 4 7 7 l 22 x .o. I I

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INVENTOR. O/PV/ME 6. Wills A TTOEA/EYS' PORTABLE ELECTRIC FORCED AIR AND RADIANT HEATER UNIT 0- C. WELLS Jan. 11, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Sept. 30, 1963 INVENTOR. ORV/ALE 6. 14 6246 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,229,070 PORTABLE ELECTRIC FORCED AIR AND RADIANT HEATER UNIT Orville C. Wells, Bonner Springs, KfiIlS-, assignor t0 Drive-In Theatre Mfg. Co., Inc., Edwardsville, Kans., a corporation of Missouri Continuation of application Ser. No. 312,501, Sept. 30,

1963. This application Dec. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 416,967

4 Claims. (Cl. 219-377) This application is a continuation of my copending application, Serial No. 312,501, filed Sept. 30, 1963, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a circulating heater, and more particularly to a centrifugal fan with an electric heater element.

Electric heaters combined with fans have been heretofore devised, but such prior devices have been incapable of high-duty performance, and especially were unsuccessful in even distribution of the heated air without overheating of the fan element.

The present invention is particularly useful as a circulating heater adaptable to be associated with a pole in a drive-in theatre and capable of being placed inside of the car on the floor thereof or other suitable surface to heat the car in cold weather.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a circulating heater in which the air is drawn generally axially into a squirrel cage type fan andthen blown radially outwardly over the heating element positioned around and slightly spaced from the exterior of the blower fan; to provide a housing having a top wall and a removable plate on the bottom for a motor having a shaft extending through the top and the shaft having secured to its upper end the fan or blower element for rotating the same; to provide the fan element with a lower disc and an upper ring member to which the spaced vanes of the element are secured in a slightly oblique or angled position therearound; to provide means for mounting the heating element on the top of the housing and spaced from the blower element; to provide a thermostat responsive to temperature oi the heating element so that when the heating element reaches a predetermined temperature the circuit will be interrupted; to provide connection of the apparatus to an electric supply including a switch for the motor; to provide a cover plate for the fan also mounted on the housing and having spaced fins or blades th'erearound so that the air is drawn generally axially into the squirrel cage type fan and radially outwardly between the fins; to provide a portable heater that is substantially weatherproof; to provide such a heater that is arranged to give forced air heat and radiant heat; to provide such a heater that is adapted to be positioned in exposed areas and then connected to a source of electric current and operated with safety; and to provide a device of this character which is simple, economical and easy to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention, particularly illustrating the vanes on the fan element and the blades on the cover plate.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the device.

FIG. 3 is a top plan cross-sectional view taken on a line 33, FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of heater for forced air and radiant heat.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

A designates a circulating heater embodying the features of my invention consisting of a housing 1 having a top plate 2, an open bottom 3 and a removable plate 4 for the bottom secured to the flange 5 of the housing by screws as indicated at 6. While I have here illustrated the housing as being of circular formation, 1 do not wish to be limited to any particular shape. Secured to the plate 4 are spaced feet or legs 7. The housing has an outwardly extending flange 8 encircling same near the upper edge thereof.

9 designates a motor within the compartment 10 of the housing, said motor being secured to supporting bars 9' by suitable fastening devices such as screws 10. The motor has a shaft 11 extending through an opening 12 in the top plate 2 and supported in a bearing 13. The shaft includes a collar or the like 14 and mounted thereon is a blower or fan 15 of squirrel cage type and includes a bottom or lower disc member 16 and an upper ring member 17. Mounted between the lower disc 16 and the upper ring member 17 are spaced vanes 18 mounted at a slight angle or obliquely around the ring and disc memher, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Mounted on the top plate 2 of the housing 1 at spaced intervals are bracket members 20 of slightly yoke shape and secured thereto by screws or the like 21 for mounting a heating element 22, preferably of the Calrod type or wherein the resistance wire is enclosed in a sheath whereby the heating element is substantially weatherproof, in outwardly spaced relation to the vanes 18 of the blower element 15. The heating element 22 also has a downwardly extending portion 22 for connection with the plate 2 in the same manner as the bracket members 20. A cover member 23 is provided having an upper plane surface 24 and a downwardly and inwardly inclined portion 25 extending slightly inwardly over the vanes 18 of the fan element 15.

Mounted on the inner wall 26 of the housing 1 of the device is a thermostat 27 responsive to the temperature of the heating element 22 to prevent overheating of the element. A switch 28 is povided in the wall 5 of the housing having an electric connection 29 to an electric supply (not shown). Lines 30 and 31 lead from the switch 28 to the motor 9 and lines 32 and 33 lead from the motor to the thermostat 27 and lines 34 and 35 lead from the thermostat to the heating element, as indicated in FIG. 2.

The top plate member 2 of the housing 1 is offset as indicated at 35 (FIG. 2) and secured therearound is a circular ring member 36, and mounted between the said ring member and underneath the plane surface 24 of the cover member 23 are spaced fins or blades 37 with their inner edges extending toward the radial center of the blower element 15 for straightening the path of air from the angled vanes on the blower element 15 and also to form a guard to reduce the possibility of coming in contact with the heating element 22.

Energizing of the motor 9 by the switch 28 will also energize the heating element 22, and the thermostat 27 will control the heating element to interrupt the flow of current thereto to prevent overheating. Normally, air passing over the heating element will keep the element dark but allow it to have a visible glow at night. Should the air flow from the fan wheel or blower element 15 be restricted or the blower stop entirely, the heating element 22 would immediately acquire a temperature whereby the thermostat would be actuated and the circuit interrupted.

The heating element 22 extends in a circle about the blower element 15 and is slightly spaced outwardly therefrom so that the air will be drawn downwardly into the blower element and then driven outwardly over the heating element 22. The vanes 18 on the blower element are so located between the upper ring member and lower disc so that the air is drawn downwardly through the opening provided by the cover member 23 and is forced outwardly through the vanes 18 where it is directed by the blades or fins 37 to be thrown outwardly in a straight line from the periphery of the device.

The heater unit preferably is provided with a handle 38 which has a horizontal portion 39 arranged diametrically across the opening in the cover member 23 in upwardly spaced relation thereto. The handle preferably has downturned ends 40 that are suitably secured to the cover plate as at 41. This handle provides for convenient grasping of the heater to move same to desired locations and this may be done even when the heater has been in operation as the air down through the opening in the cover member 23 in its passage to the blower element maintains the handle cool.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4, the heater provides a combination of forced air and radiant heat. With this structure, the housing 1, motor mounting, the blower element 15 and heater element 22 and the relative arrangement thereof substantially correspond to the structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive. When the heater element is energized and the motor 9 operated, air is drawn into the blower element 15 and discharged outwardly to pass over the heater element 22 and provide forced air heat that will be directed outwardly. A guard 42 is secured to the housing 1 preferably at the offset 35 as at 43. The guard 42 extends upwardly from the housing and completely across the blower element 15 in upwardly spaced relation thereto. The guard preferably is of open structure formed of a plurality of wires 44 and, in the illustrated structure, said wires are formed in spaced apart circles 45 and supported in the peripheral portion of the guard by upright wire frame members 46 arranged in circumferentially spaced relation and having their lower ends suitably secured to the housing as at 43. The upper ends of the frame members 46 are turned inwardly to form radial members 47 that are connected at the center to a small connector or disc member 48. In the upper portion of the guard, there are radially spaced concentric wire circles 49 secured to the radial members 47. A handle member 50 is secured to opposed radial members 47 and extends upwardly therefrom to facilitate carrying of the heater. The handle member is disposed whereby air drawn toward the blower element passes thereover and keeps the handle relatively cool during operation of the heater. With this open arrangement of the guard 42, the air can move readily to the blower element 15 from above same during operation of the blower element 15 and the heater element 22 will provide radiant heating outwardly completely around the heater unit, said radiant heat being directed upwardly as well as outwardly and also angled downwardly The heater element 22 is exposed for emitting radiant heat in a zone outwardly therearound and between lines extending from the heating element to upper outer peripheries of the blower and housing, said line from the heating element to the blower periphery defining an upstanding cone. Even though the guard is open, the structure is such that the electrical connections are enclosed, and the heater element weatherproof, so that the unit can be exposed to atmospheric conditions without interference to its operation. This provides further protection to users as it eliminates any possible accidental contact with an exposed electrical heating wire and possible shorting of the circuit thereof.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that I have provided an improved circulating heater wherein the air is taken into a fan or blower element heated by an element spaced outwardly of the vanes of the blower element and the air straightened by the blades of the cover element to cause the same to flow in an even flow from the heater.

4 It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown except insofar as such limitations are included in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A probable forced air and radiant heater unit comprising,

(a) a housing having a closed top,

(b) a motor mounted in said housing and having a shaft extending through the closed top of the hous- (C) a blower element connected to said shaft for rotion thereby, said blower element being above said closed top and having an axial inlet from above and operating to discharge air substantially horizontally and radially outwardly above the housing, there being an absence of air communication from inside the housing to the blower,

(d) a sheathed heating element extending substantially in a circle larger than said blower element,

(e) means on said housing supporting said heating element substantially on a level with said blower element in outwardly spaced relation thereto and in the path of air discharged thereby,

(f) a guard member on said housing and surrounding the heating element and blower element in outwardly spaced relation thereto, said guard member having a plurality of spaced wires at the sides and top for an open structure permitting substantially unobstructed heat radiation upwardly and outwardly and free passage of air to and from the blower element,

(g) and means for energizing said motor and said heating element so that in operation the blower element draws air generally axially downwardly and discharges same radially outwardly from the pe riphery thereof for movement by the heating element and with heat radiation in a zone extending from an upstanding cone to below a horizontal plane of said heating element, said cone being defined by lines extending from the heating element periphery to outer portions of the blower.

2. A portable forced air and radiant heater unit comprising,

(a) a housing having a closed top,

(b) a motor mounted in said housing and having a shaft extending through the closed top of the hous- 111g,

(0) a blower element connected to said shaft for rotation thereby, said blower element being above said closed top and having a bottom disc member adjacent the housing and a top ring coaxially thereof and spaced upwardly therefrom with a large axial opening defined by said top ring and circumferentially spaced vanes extending between and secured to said disc and top ring adjacent the periphery thereof, said blower having an axial inlet from above through said top ring and a radially outward discharge, there being an absence of air communication from inside the housing to the blower,

(d) a sheathed heating element extending susbtantially in a circle larger than said blower element,

(e) means on said housing supporting said heating element on a level substantially between said blower element disc and top ring with said heating element extending around said blower element in outwardly spaced relation thereto and in the path of air discharged thereby,

(f) a guard member on said housing and surrounding the heating element and blower element in outwardly spaced relation thereto, said guard member having a plurality of spaced circular rings and supporting members at the sides and top for an open struc ture permitting substantially unobstructed heat radiation upwardly and outwardly and free passage of air to and from the blower element,

(g) and means for energizing said motor and said heating element so that in operation the blower element draws air generally axially downwardly and discharges same radially outwardly from the periphery thereof for movement by the heating element and with heat radiation in a zone extending from an upstanding cone to below a horizontal plane of said heating element, said cone being defined by lines extending from the heating element periphery to the top ring periphery of the blower element.

3. A portable forced air and radiant heater unit as set forth in claim 2 wherein said guard member has a substantially diametrically extending rod above the blower element and a carrying handle connected to said rod.

4. A portable forced air and radiant heater unit comprising,

(a) a housing having depending sides, an open bottom and a top plate, said top plate having a central opening therein,

(b) a motor mounted within the confines of said housing and having an upstanding shaft at said central opening in said top plate,

(0) a blower element above said top plate and connected to said shaft for rotation thereby, said blower element having a bottom disc member adjacent the top plate of the housing and a top ring coaxially thereof and spaced upwardly therefrom with a large axial opening defined by said top ring and circumferentially spaced vanes extending between and secured to said disc and top ring adjacent the p.,- riphery thereof, said blower having an axial inlet from above through said axial opening and a radially outward discharge, there being an absence of air communication from inside the housing to the blower,

(d) a sheathed heating element extending substantially in a circle larger than said blower element,

(e) means on said housing supporting said heating element on a level susbtantially between said blower element disc and top ring with said heating element extending around said blower element in outwardly spaced relation thereto and in the path of air discharged thereby,

(f) a guard member mounted on the housing and surrounding the heating element and blower element in outwardly and upwardly spaced relation thereto, said guard member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced upstanding posts outwardly of the heating element and extending upwardly from said housing with upper portions of each connected to radially and inwardly extending rods connected at the center, said guard member having a plurality of spaced circular rings mounted on the posts and radial rods at the sides and top thereof forming an open structure permitting substantially unobstructed free passage of air to and from the blower element and heat radiation upwardly and outwardly from the heating element,

(g) and means for energizing said motor and said heating element so that in operation the blower element draws air generally axially downwardly and discharges same radially outwardly from the periphery thereof for movement by the heating element with heat radiation from said heating element in a zone extending from an upstanding cone to below a horizontal plane of said heating element, said zone being defined by lines extending from the heating element periphery to the top ring periphery of the blower element.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Switzerland.

ANTHONY BARTIS, Acting Primary Examiner, 

1. A PROBABLE FORCED AIR AND RADIANT HEATER UNIT COMPRISING, (A) A HOUSING HAVING A CLOSED TOP, (B) A MOTOR MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING AND HAVING A SHAFT EXTENDING THROUGH THE CLOSED TOP OF THE HOUSING, (C) A BLOWER ELEMENT CONNECTED TO SAID SHAFT FOR ROTION THEREBY, SAID BLOWER ELEMENT BEING ABOVE SAID CLOSED TOP AND HAVING AN AXIAL INLET FROM ABOVE AND OPERATING TO DISCHARGE AIR SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY AND RADIALLY OUTWARDLY ABOVE THE HOUSING, THERE BEING AN ABSENCE OF AIR COMMUNICATION FROM INSIDE THE HOUSING TO THE BLOWER, (D) A SHEATHED HEATING ELEMENT EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY IN A CIRCLE LARGER THAN SAID BLOWER, ELMENT, (E) MEANS ON SAID HOUSING SUPPORTING SAID HEATING ELEMENT SUBTANTIALLY ON A LEVEL WITH SAID BLOWER ELEMENT IN OUTWARDLY SPACED RELATION THERETO AND IN THE PATH OF AIR DISCHARGED THEREBY, (F) A GUARD MEMBER ON SAID HOUSING AND SURROUNDING THE HEATING ELEMENT AND BLOWER ELEMENT IN OUTWARDLY SPACED RELATION THERETO, SAID GUARD MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF SPACED WIRES AT THE SIDES AND TOP FOR AN OPEN STRUCTURE PERMITTING SUBSTANTIALLY UNOBSTRUCTED HEAT RADIATION UPWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY AND FREE PASSAGE OF AIR TO AND FROM THE BLOWER ELEMENT, (G) AND MEANS FOR ENERGIZING SAID MOTOR AND SAID HEATING ELEMENT SO THAT IN OPERATION THE BLOWER ELEMENT DRAWS AIR GENERALLY AXIALLY DOWNWARDLY AND DISCHARGES SAME RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM THE PERIPHERY THEREOF FOR MOVEMENT BY THE HEATING ELEMENT SAND WITH HEAT RADIATION IN A ZONE EXTENDING FROM AN UPSTANDING CONE TO BELOW A HORIZONTAL PLANE OF SAID HEATING ELEMENT, SAID CONE BEING DEFINED BY LINES EXTENDING FROM THE HEATING ELEMENT PERIPHERY TO OUTER PORTIONS OF THE BLOWER. 